Football practice reaction mechanism



Sept. 1968 A. J. MCCORMICK ET AL 3,399,891

FOOTBALL PRACTICE REACTION MECHANISM Filed Dec. 51, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Azvzmzw J. MCCORMICK We; rs? E k/oao/A/ AU 9 B? 24 4/ Sept. 3, 1968 A. J. M CORMICK E AL 3,399,891

FOOTBALL PRACTICE REACTION MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 31, 1964 ullm IIIIIIITIIlllllllilllllllllll. u 4| 0 wmw mm in Z mm M MW w United States Patent 3 399 891 FOOTBALL PRACT'IClE REAcTIoN MECHANISM Andrew J. McCormick, 603 3rd Ave. NW., Pocahontas, Iowa 50574, and Walter F. Woodin, Laurens, Iowa 50554 Filed Dec. 31, 1964, Ser. No. 422,582 3 Claims. (Cl. 27355) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to football practice and conditioning apparatus, and more particularly to a reaction mechanism for suspending a tackling and blocking dummy. The arrangement is such that upon a would-be tackler hitting the dummy, a portion of the dummy unit fulcrums against an overhead structure to initiate actuation of a spring resistance mechanism to provide a resistance to the tackle supposedly typical of the resistance of the opposite player. Upon release of the dummy, the mechanism is operable to return the dummy to its original position.

This invention relates generally to football apparatus and more particularly to a reaction mechanism adapted for training football players in tackling and blocking.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a tackling and blocking dummy apparatus embodying a new and useful reaction mechanism which will simulate the approximate conditions met by a player in tackling or blocking an opponent.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tackling and blocking apparatus wherein the dummy offers a resistance to a would-be tackler, until a predetermined amount of movement has occurred, at which point further movement is prevented.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a tackling and blocking apparatus embodying a reaction mechanism which includes means for adjusting the amount of shock required to actuate the mechanism to simulate movement of one being tackled or blocked.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a football blocking and tackling apparatus wherein a vertically reciprocal rod is resiliently maintained on a support against movement by a dummy, and wherein deflection of the dummy results in a fulcruming of the dummy against the support to responsively lower and move the rod against the resilient bias.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a football tackling and blocking apparatus having a dummy which can be quickly and easily detached from the remainder of the apparatus, and which dummy is completely rotatable through a 360 arc.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a football blocking and tackling apparatus capable of attaining the above designated objectives which is economical to manufacture, simple and rugged in construction, and eflective in operation.

These objects, and other features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent upon reference to 3,399,891 Patented Sept. 3, 1968 ice the following description, when taken into consideration with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable framework to which is assembled three football practice reaction mechanisms of this invention, certain parts broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the upper part of a football practice reaction mechanism, with certain parts broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2, and with certain parts broken away for illustrative clarity;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but taken oppositely thereof along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 55 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 66 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 77 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 and showing actuation of the reaction mechanism;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the dummies, taken on the line 9-9 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary, perspective view showing a quick disconnect structure for the dummy.

Referring to the drawings, a trio of football practice reaction mechanisms are indicated each generally at 10 in FIG. 1, all three mechanisms 10 being mounted in laterally spaced relation on the parallel bars 11 and 12 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of a portable framework having A-frames 13 and 14 at each end thereof. As each reaction mechanism 10 is identical, only one will be described, with like parts identified by like reference numerals.

A reaction mechanism 10 comprises in general: a flat support plate 16 extended laterally beneath the bars 11 and 12 and secured thereto by a quartet of U-bolts 17; an elongated rod 18 (FIG. 5) reciprocally mounted in a guide 19 secured in an upright position centrally of the plate 16, and the rod 18 having an upper end 21 external the guide 19, and a lower end 22 exposed beneath the plate 16; a conventional dummy unit 23 (FIG. 1) the upper end of which comprises a fiat disc 24 capped by a circular bead 26 (see FIG. 8) about the upper peripheral surface thereof, and which disc 24 is movably engaged with the undersurface of the plate 16, deflection of the dummy 27 (FIG. 1) tending to lower the rod 18; and an articulated linkage unit 28 operatively connected between the rod 18 and the plate 16, whereby an attempted lowering movement of the rod 18 is restrained by a resistance applied thereto by the linking unit 28.

More specifically, the support plate 16 has an opening formed centrally therein in which a bushing 29 (FIG. 5) is mounted for the rod 18, and at opposed ends of the plate 16, a pair of upright spring support plates 31 and 32 are mounted. The plates 31 and 32 are diametrically opposite each other relative to the rod 18. It will be noted particularly in FIG. 3 that although the inner exposed end of each U-bolt 17 is secured by a conventional nut 33, a hand wheel-type nut 34 secures each outer end. This enables a quick loosening and re-tightening of the U-bolts for easy shifting of the apparatus 10 longitudinally on the bars 11 and 12.

To prevent the rod 18 from turning or rotating, the guide 19 has a square cut bore 36 (FIG. 6), and the upper half 18a of the rod 18 is square in cross section. The lower half 18b (FIG. 7), however, is round to accommodate a circular flange formed at the rod exposed end 22. As the disc 24 of the dummy unit 23 has a downwardly flared bore 37 (FIG. it may readily be seen by referring to FIG. 8, that upon angular deflection of the dummy 27 and thus the disc 24, the flared bore 37 coacting with the flange end 22 permits deflection to occur without damage or binding between the disc 24 and the rod 18. As shown in FIG. 8, as the disc 24 is deflected, it engages the under side of the support plate 16 along the bead 26 at a point thereon, and by a fulcrum action tends to depress the rod 18 from its normal position of FIG. 5 to the lower, depressed position of FIG. 8.

The dummy 27, of expanded foam covered by a polyethylene or vinyl is secured to a hollow pipe 38 telescopically embracing a center pipe 39 which has a quick connection with an upper, larger pipe 41, the latter being secured to the underside of the disc 24 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). Referring to FIG. 10, a U-shaped bracket 42 is secured to each side of the exterior pipe 41, and reciprocally retains a pin 43, biased inwardly by a spring 44 for locking insertion through a pair of alignable openings 46 and 47 formed, respectively, in the pipes 41 and 39. A pair of notches 48 and 49 are formed along an upper edge of the bracket 42, each of which is adapted to receive a shoulder bolt 51 threaded into the pin 43.

Thus, upon placement of the shoulder bolt 51 into the inner notch, the pipes 39 and 41 are locked together. To remove the inner pipe 39 from the disc-secured pipe 41, both bolts 51 of each bracket 42 are forced outwardly against the bias of the springs 44 and set into the outer notches 49, whereby the inner end of the pin 43 is withdrawn from the openings 47 to let the pipe 39 and dummy 27 slip downwardly therefrom.

Referring to FIG. 9, the structure of the dummy unit 23 is shown which provides for a complete and continuous free rotation of the dummy 27 about the pipe 39. It should be noted here, however, that as the disc 24 is freely and rotatably suspended by the rod end 22, the entire dummy unit 23 is rotatable relative to the support plate 16. A small tube 52 is rotatably mounted on a bolt 53 extended across the pipe 39, and supports a stirrup 54. A bearing 56 is mounted within the stirrup 54 and rotatably supports a bolt 57 the lower end of which rotatably supports another stirrup 58.

Suspended from the lower stirrup 58 is a coil spring 59 to which is connected at the lower end thereof a transverse bolt 61. The bolt 61 extends through a collar 62 and the pipe 38, with the collar 62 providing an abutment for the lower end of the inner pipe 39 to prevent damage to the bolt 61.

The linkage unit 28 comprises a pair of oppositely movable, articulated linkages 63 and 64 (FIG. 5) mounted diametrically each other relative to the rod 18, and operatively connected between the rod upper end 21 and the support plate 16, and two pairs of springs 66, 67 (FIG. 7) and 68, 69 for each linkage 63 and 64, respectively. At the top of the rod 18, a cross bar 71 is mounted having a square bore 72 for the square rod 18a, and with a resilient bumper 73 bonded to the under side. For coacting with the bumper 73, the upper end of the guide 19 is capped with a washer 75. The upper end of the rod portion 18a is externally threaded to receive a tension adjustment nut 74.

Threaded through drilled and tapped passages 76 and 77 provided therefor are the externally threaded upper ends 78, each of a pair of upper toggle arms 79, 79 (FIGS. 4 and S), and 81, 81. The upper toggle arms of each pair are parallel, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and are pivotally connected by a pin 82 to each side of the upper ends 78. Secured across the base of the arms 79, 79 is a short spring plate 83 having a toggle angle adjusting bolt 84 secured centrally thereof, and secured across the base of the arms 81, 81 is a longer spring plate 86, also having a toggle angle adjusting bolt 87 secured centrally thereof. As best seen in FIG. 4, the longer plate 86 has a pair of laterally spaced cutouts 88 and 89 formed therein (see also FIG. 7).

Pivotally connected by a pin 91 (FIGS. 4 and 5) in between each pair of upper toggle arms 79, 79 and 81, 81 is a lower toggle arm 92 and 93, respectively, and the lower ends of which are each again pivotally connected at 94 to a pair of toggle brackets 96, 96 and 97, 97. The brackets are secured as illustrated to the upper surface of the support plate 16. As best illustrated in FIG. 7, the springs 66 and 67 extend parallel between connections with the short spring plate 83 and the spring support plate 32, passing through the cutouts 88 and 89. The springs 68 and 69 extend parallel between connections with the longer spring plate 86 and the spring support plate 31.

In operation and use of the invention, a plurality of reaction mechanism apparatus 10 are secured to the bars 11 and 12 as desired, with the dummy units 23 connected to the disc 24 and stub pipe 41 by the structure of FIG. 10. By adjusting the position of either or both the nut 74 (FIG. 5) or the bolts 84 and 87, the tension and response of each apparatus 10 is adjustable. It will be noted that either bolt 84 or 87 is engageable with a respective lower toggle arm and this can limit the angular relationship therebetween. FIG. 5 shows an apparatus in an expanded non-operated position, and FIG. 8 shows the collapsed or buckled actuated condition of the apparatus 10 when the dummy 27 has been deflected.

The deflection occurs by a would-be tackler or blockor striking the dummy 27. Should the strike be unsatisfactory, the player will quickly slide 01f the dummy 27 without causing much deflection due to the capability of the dummy to rotate, and due of course to the resistance of the linkage unit 28. On the other hand, should the player strike the dummy as he should, he will force the dummy in whichever direction he is moving.

Upon a deflection of the dummy 27, the pipe 41 and disc 24 will be moved as indicated in FIG. 8, whereby the disc uses the support plate 16 as a fulcrum. The rod 18 responsively is pulled downwardly, causing the linkages 63 and 64 to buckle against the resistance of the springs. This action continues until the bumper 73 strikes the washer 75, whereupon the dummy 27, via the disc 24, no longer moves rearwardlyso to speak-with the player, but rotates away, thus permitting the player to slide off. The evidence of a well executed block or tackle is therefore quite visible.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described herein, it is to be remembered that various modifications and alternate constructions can be made made thereto without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A football practice reaction mechanism comprising:

ground engaging support means including a plate having an aperture formed therein;

a rod mounted on said plate for reciprocal movement through said aperture with an upper end above said plate and a lower end extended below said plate;

means operatively connected between said rod and said plate for resiliently maintaining said rod in a stationary position; and

dummy means including a disc, a pipe afiixed to said disc and depended therefrom, and a tackling dummy affixed to said pipe, said disc having an aperture formed therein through which said rod lower end exends, said disc being rotatable about said lower end and rockable upon said lower end, the weight of said disc, pipe, and dummy ending to pull said rod downwardly against the resistance of said operatively connected means, said disc engageable with the underside of said plate in a fulcrum manner when simultaneously engaged with said rod lower end.

2. A football practice reaction mechanism as defined in claim 1, and wherein said disc is substantially round with a flat upper surface for engagement with the undersurface of said plate.

3. A football practice reaction mechanism as defined in claim 1, and wherein said dummy has a passage formed axially therein, said pipe having a portion inserted into said passage, the portion of said pipe having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of said passage, and including further means resiliently connecting said dummy to said pipe portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Klum 273-55 Carberry 273-55 Cottingham 272-79 X Messing 267-1 X Oakes et a1. 2671 Marggraif 273184 X Cummins 273---55 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

R. J. APLEY, Assistant Examiner. 

